It is important to work on timing and comfort on your relay starts. If you can master a step up start you will have momentum bringing you forward for increased acceleration as you hit the water.
When you swing your arms up and around don't lift your body up, we want to lift forward bringing momentum towards mid pool! If you are not comfortable with a step up start you may perform the track start and just swing the arms forward for added momentum.
If we are at a pool with the back fin, you may not start on the back fin for the step up. THe CIAC rules currently would disqualify you (2017-2018).